Jeremy Casey

The Cobblers have frozen prices for the EFL Cup third round clash with Premier League giants Manchester United - and tickets go on sale to season-ticket holders from Tuesday (August 30).

The most recent time the Cobblers hosted the Old Trafford giants in the FA Cup in 2004, the club took the decision to double admission prices in a bid to maximise revenue, and the game was still a sell-out.

Whilst there could be some justification for increasing prices for this game, that is not for us and will be using normal prices

Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas

Chairman Kelvin Thomas admits their could be ‘justification’ for a price increase for the clash against Jose Mourinho’s men, but he has resisted any temptation to do it for the fixture on Wednesday, September 21.

So prices will be the same as they are for any regular league game at Sixfields, meaning an adult ticket is £22, under-18s can get in for £10 and under-sevens for free.

The club has also announced the priority system for buying tickets, which they believe is as fair as it can be.

This involves season ticket holders being the first to be able to buy their ticket, and they will be able to do so from 10am tomorrow.

There is then a two-tier system for club members - dependent on whether memberships were bought before or after Wednesday night’s draw was made, with sale of memberships now suspended - and then a ‘game package’ which will mean supporters having to buy tickets for three Sky Bet League One fixtures as well as one for the United game.

Members who committed to the club before Wednesday’s draw will be able to buy tickets for the United game from Monday, September 5, then ‘tier two’ members can buy tickets from Thursday, September 7.

The game package system comes into operation from September 12, and if tickets are available after that, then they will go on general sale from 10am on Saturday, September 17.

Full details on the ticket arrangements can be found at the bottom of this story, and match day hospitality packages are also available.

Thomas said last week that he was aiming to keep ticket prices down, and he has stuck to his guns, which is a fantastic gesture.

“As I said last week, this is a proper game which we will take as seriously as any other fixture,” said the Cobblers chairman.

“We are not going to get carried away with the event and we look forward to welcoming Manchester United to Sixfields.

“That being said, we fully understand there will be a huge demand for tickets and the staff at the club have worked extremely hard to come up with a priority system that will not only service that demand, but also make things as fair as possible.

“We have an existing published priority system which we had no intention of changing, with season ticket holders getting first priority, followed by members.

“We have however added two membership classifications - tier one and tier two - so we are able to prioritise members who purchased prior to or on the day of the draw which we think is fair.

“Following that, we have consulted with the Supporters Trust and based on their recommendation we have added a further level of priority after members for this game, which is the ‘Game Package’.

“This is designed for fans who don’t typically have a season ticket but do attend regular matches.

“To facilitate this, membership sales will also now be suspended until after all tickets for this fixture have been purchased.

“At the club we are very conscious to try and keep football affordable which is why recently we have frozen season ticket prices, even following a promotion, and we have had discounted tickets in the cup competitions.

“While there could be some justification for increasing prices for this game, that is not for us and will be using normal prices.”

Thomas also urged supporters to show patience as they try to buy their tickets.

“As you can imagine the club’s ticket office and system are not set up for this type of fixture every week,” said the Town chairman.

“We will be bringing in additional staff at various times to cover, however we must ask supporters to please be patient and understand there will be high demand which will mean longer than normal queues and hold times.

“Please be assured the hard working staff will be doing everything they can to ensure a speedy and professional service.

“Don’t forget however we have a lot of games before the Manchester United game and tickets for Wycombe, MK Dons, Walsall and Chesterfield remain on sale as normal.”

This game will be played as above and normal advanced matchday ticket prices will apply for all stands: Adult £22; Senior £18; Under 21s £18; Under 18s £10; Under 7s FREE. Disabled supporters will pay the appropriate age category price, with a free carer ticket available for those who qualify.

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

Those supporters who are on the cup match booking scheme can collect their tickets from 10am on Saturday September 3rd.

Tickets will go on sale to season ticket holders only (one per person) from 10am on Tuesday August 30th onwards. Sales will be from Sixfields, online via www.ntfcdirect.co.uk and over the phone on 01604 683777. An adult season ticket entitles you to buy an adult match ticket, an under 18 season ticket entitles you to buy an under 18 match ticket etc. Season ticket holders can buy on behalf of other season ticket holders if they are in possession of the necessary season ticket books.

Season ticket holders seats will be held until 4pm on Sunday September 4th and if being purchased online they can be found under the RESERVATIONS section of www.ntfcdirect.co.uk once logged in.

MEMBERS – TIER ONE

THOSE WHO PURCHASED MEMBERSHIPS ON OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24TH 2016

These members can purchase their tickets (one per person) from 10am on Monday September 5th onwards, sales will be from Sixfields and over the phone on 01604 683777 (NO ONLINE SALES).

An adult membership entitles you to buy an adult match ticket, a junior membership entitles you to buy a junior match ticket. Members can buy on behalf of other members if they are in possession of the necessary membership cards. If purchasing over the phone, the appropriate membership cards must be shown on collection or tickets will not be released.

MEMBERS - TIER TWO

THOSE WHO PURCHASED MEMBERSHIPS ON OR AFTER THURSDAY AUGUST 25TH 2016

These members can purchase their tickets (one per person) from 10am on Thursday September 7th onwards, sales will be from Sixfields and over the phone on 01604 683777 (NO ONLINE SALES).

An adult membership entitles you to buy an adult match ticket, a junior membership entitles you to buy a junior match ticket. Members can buy on behalf of other members if they are in possession of the necessary membership cards. If purchasing over the phone, the appropriate membership cards must be shown on collection or tickets will not be released.

GAME PACKAGE

SUPPORTERS WHO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR 3 OF THE FOLLOWING 4 HOME LEAGUE GAMES (SOUTHEND UNITED, BRISTOL ROVERS, MILLWALL and/or BURY)

These supporters can purchase this ticket package (maximum of 4 packages per person) from 10am on Monday 12th September onwards, sales will be from Sixfields and over the phone on 01604 683777 (NO ONLINE SALES).

An adult ticket for three of the four home games entitles you to buy an adult match ticket for the Manchester United game etc, tickets for the games have to be purchased for the same age category of ticket. Each supporter can purchase a maximum of four of these packages, ie 3 packages will qualify to purchase 3 same age category Manchester United tickets, 4 packages will qualify to purchase 4 same age category Manchester United tickets.

GENERAL SALE

In the event of there being any tickets remaining, these will go on general sale from Sixfields and www.ntfcdirect.co.uk from 9am on Saturday September 17th. Maximum 4 tickets per person.

OPENING HOURS

Tue Aug 30 10am-6.45pm, (6.45pm-7.45pm Wycombe tickets only) and open after the game until the queue has cleared

Wed Aug 31 10am-7pm

Thu Sep 1 10am-7pm

Fri Sep 2 10am-7pm

Sat Sep 3 10am-4pm

Sun Sep 4 9am-11am, (11am-noon MK Dons tickets only) and open after the game until 4pm

Further opening hours to be advised.

HOSPITALITY

Matchday hospitality packages are available from £70 pp + VAT, or you can get even closer to the action with a match sponsorship package, details now available on request. Please email commercial@ntfc.co.uk for more details.